Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has stormed theaters, shattering box office projections and proving that audiences still crave epic tales of gods and heroes. But the ripple effect of this July 2026 blockbuster has been just as remarkable: a 22-year-old movie that Nolan nearly directed is now enjoying a major streaming revival.
That film is Troy, Wolfgang Petersen's 2004 adaptation of Homer's Iliad, which has surged on platforms like iTunes, AMC+, and Wikipedia this week, according to FlixPatrol. As fans flock to theaters for Nolan's take on the Odyssey, they're also revisiting the ancient world through Petersen's lens—a film that, in a twist of Hollywood history, was almost Nolan's first big-budget project.
The 'Troy' That Almost Was
Before Nolan became synonymous with mind-bending blockbusters, he was briefly attached to direct Troy at Warner Bros. When Petersen left the project to develop a Batman and Superman film, Nolan stepped in. But when that superhero venture fell apart, Petersen returned to Troy, and Nolan was offered the chance to direct Batman Begins—a decision that launched his legendary streak of critically acclaimed hits. As Christopher Nolan's adventure movies ranked from Inception to The Odyssey show, that pivot was a turning point for cinema.
Starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, Eric Bana as Hector, and Sean Bean as Odysseus, Troy was a massive production with a reported budget of $185 million. It grossed nearly $500 million worldwide, but critics were divided. The film holds a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "a brawny, entertaining spectacle lacking emotional resonance." In contrast, Nolan's The Odyssey—starring Matt Damon as Odysseus—has earned a stellar 95% on the same aggregator.
Nolan's Epic Dominates, Troy Rides the Wave
Nolan's The Odyssey is his most expensive film to date, matching The Dark Knight Rises' $250 million budget. It's a direct adaptation of Homer's epic poem, while Troy focused on the Trojan War from the Iliad. The connection is clear: both draw from the same mythological well, and audiences are hungry for more. As Troy's streaming surge sets the stage for Nolan's The Odyssey in July 2026, it's a testament to the enduring power of these ancient stories.
Brad Pitt later expressed regret about Troy, but the film's streaming success proves it still has a devoted fanbase. Written by David Benioff—who would go on to co-create Game of Thrones—the movie also featured Brian Cox, Orlando Bloom, and Diane Kruger. For those catching up before or after seeing Nolan's epic, Troy offers a different, more grounded take on the mythos.
Meanwhile, Nolan's The Odyssey continues to dominate theaters, and its cultural impact is spreading beyond the big screen. Nolan's 'The Odyssey' hits Fortnite: unlock Matt Damon's Odysseus for free is just one example of how the film is engaging audiences everywhere. As July 2026 rolls on, both old and new epics are finding their place in the spotlight.
Stay tuned for more updates on The Odyssey's box office journey and the streaming resurgence of Troy—a story of two films connected by fate, a director's what-if, and the timeless allure of Greek mythology.
